The 2009 Santa Monica Cares Festival combines our Health and Wellness Festival with our Non-Profit Festival, creating a new, larger and more comprehensive event that serves the needs of all of Santa Monica's residents. This annual event provides valuable services such as health screenings, demonstrations, healthy living information and allows non-profits the opportunity to educate the community about what they do and how to get involved. This event is free to the public and draws thousands of people every year through the Third Street Promenade.
On April 23rd, Santa Monica High School Ambassadors’ Student Club hosted the first annual Career Day on campus. Collaborating with the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce and the City of Santa Monica, SAMOHI was able to present students with a plethora of different career paths and professionals who assisted the students with their career plans. Along with such informational panels, the school also exhibited a job fair in the Roberts Art Gallery which offered many students paid internships and summer jobs at local businesses. The Chamber is looking forward to working with Santa Monica High School and the City of Santa Monica to guide students on their professional paths in the years ahead.
The Future of Santa Monica
The Land Use Committee meets about once a month discuss updates to the Land Use and Circulation Element (LUCE) of the city’s General Plan. Hosting discussions between business and city representatives, chamber members have the opportunity to ask questions about current and future development standards. Preserving residential neighborhoods, while at the same time stimulating our local economy, are two such goals of the LUCE process. Featured chamber guests have included: City Planning Director Eileen Fogarty, Planning Commissioner Ted Winterer, Councilwoman Gleam Davis, and Mayor Ken Genser.
Business Cares Program
Through the Santa Monica Chamber of Commerce, the
Business Cares program honors members of Santa Monica’s business community working to end homelessness. The award is presented at the Westside Shelter and Hunger Coalition's annual
Celebrating Success Breakfast and distinguishes certain businesses as leaders in a city-wide attempt to reduce homelessness. Every year a key business is recognized for devoting its time and resources to this important issue. Honored businesses include: Rubin Postaer & Associates, Macerich, and the Bayside District Corporation. The Chamber's online
nomination form may be used to recognize the outstanding business or organization of your choice.
PeBL Gives Back
The Professionals Emerging as Business Leaders (PeBL) has developed a new philanthropy program as part of its new mission. The group actively participates with four local non-profits throughout the year, providing volunteers and helping raise funds. Each PeBL member is dedicated to provide ongoing support to these organizations. Current partners include: Upward Bound House, WISE & Healthy Aging, OPCC, and the Westside Food Bank.
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Staff Contact:
Brian Chase
Director of Government Affairs
govaffairs@smchamber.com 
